Differentiate between the career functions and psychosocial functions provided by a mentor.

Answers will vary. The career functions provided by a mentor include sponsorship, facilitating exposure and visibility, coaching, and protection. Sponsorship means actively helping the individual get job experiences and promotions. Facilitating exposure and visibility means providing opportunities for the protégé to develop relationships with key figures in the organization in order to advance. Coaching involves providing advice in both career and job performance. Protection is provided by shielding the protégé from potentially damaging experiences.
The psychosocial functions provided by a mentor include role modeling, acceptance and confirmation, counseling, and friendship. Role modeling occurs when the mentor displays behavior for the protégé to emulate. Such modeling facilitates social learning. Acceptance and confirmation are important to both the mentor and protégé. When the protégé feels accepted by the mentor, it fosters a sense of pride. Likewise, positive regard and appreciation from the junior colleague provide a sense of satisfaction for the mentor. Counseling by a mentor helps the protégé explore personal issues that arise and require assistance. Friendship is another psychosocial function that benefits both mentor and protégé alike. Please see the section "The Advancement Stage" for more information.